GAL AFIK

Software Engineer | Game Developer

My Resume

Welcome!

About Me

Hi there! I'm Gal. I'm a software and game developer. I also do web design, graphic design, and hardware tinkering. I am certified in C++, Java, and Python and have experience with multiple other langauges. I love acquiring new skills and learning new toolsets! Please check out my professional experience and my latest projects below.

My specialties

Skills

Full-Stack Engineering

While most of my work is proprietary and can't be shared, some of my personal projects are available on the web! Check out my work on GitHub to see some of my coding samples.

Game Design

I started making games in high school and have now founded Mythos Interactive, an indie studio specializing in GameMaker Studio, Unity, and Unreal. Check out our latest game below!

Web Development

I have worked on everything from personal projects (including this site) to development efforts for Snyder's Pretzels, Dixon Valve, and Smithsonian Institute.

Graphic Art

I use the Adobe Creative Suite as well as Inkscape and GIMP 2.0 for all sort of logo, user interface, and photography touch-up design.

What have I done?

Professional Experience

Virtual Heroes, a Division of Applied Research Associates

Associate Game Programmer

Nov 2020 - Present

Mythos Interactive

Founder

Mar 2019 - Present

  • Developed games that received the Editor’s Choice award from Simmer.io and placed 3rd in Brackeys Game Jam.
  • Design and implement user-interfaces, sound systems, graphics renderers, and gameplay mechanics.
  • Manage and lead a group of designers, producers, and testers in creating small-scale projects.

Deutsche Bank

Software Engineer

Feb 2019 - Nov 2020

  • Develop and maintain SQL Server Integration services that upkeep critical financial database systems.
  • Enhance and maintain version-control procedures and pipelines for international teams.
  • As Scrum Master, organize ceremonies for an international team based out of the US, London, and India.
  • As Technical Information Security Officer, oversee security-related approvals and inspections.
  • Organize team-engagement events and activities, including a global hackathon event for over 200 participants.

Zaniac Learning

Campus Coordinator

Sep 2018 - Feb 2019

  • Instructed students (K-8) in STEM-based programs including Java, Python, and Game Design.
  • Supervised 15 instructors and over 30 students on a daily basis with a focus on campus efficiency and safety.

Quotient, Inc.

Associate Developer

May 2016 - May 2018

  • Developed various internal Java and PHP applications that integrated with a custom NoSQL (json) database including a database management system that controlled Smithsonian Inst. proprietary artifact records data.
  • Created a fully customizable interactive education and training center for site users and project volunteers.
  • Designed and implemented content management interfaces for interactive museum exhibits.

Mindgrub Technologies

Web Development Intern

Jun 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Designed a mobile game for Snyder's Pretzels using built-in device accelerometer and gyroscopic sensors.
  • Implemented a mobile application for Polk Audio using an HTML5/JavaScript and a Bluetooth LTE web API that controls wireless speakers and allows users to set up song playlists cooperatively.

Gal possess one of the most creative and analytical minds I have had the pleasure of working with. His passion and drive are only matched by the skillfulness and quality of his work. In my time knowing him as a coworker and friend, he has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for others, help make the world a better place, and further his business and that of those around him.

- Joshua Connor

What tools do I use?

Applications

The following games engines are the cornerstones of many of my projects. While I have intermediate mastery over many of their features, I always strive to expand my knowledge and aquire new skills as I grow. Many of my latest projects using these engines can be found below!

I have experience developing various projects using the Unity Engine. My range of experience with the engine spans everything from design to publication. I am experienced with both the backend C# architechture of Unity and its front-facing design tools such as Shader Graph, Particle Graph, and ProBuilder.
Unreal has been my latest passion project. I am currently developing various projects using the Unreal Engine, both using C++ and the Blueprints scripting language. I have some exposure to Unreal's Virtual Reality tools as well.
GameMaker has been a favorite tool of mine for many years. I have built many games in this engine and have taught multiple courses in the fundumentals of game design, logic, and even mathematics, all using GameMaker Studio and its predecessors.

What am I up to?

Projects

Internal Medicine

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5 Engine: Unity
Genre: Action

Internal Medicine is my submission to the Extra Credits Jam 2020. The theme of the jam was "Take Care". Play as a young professional in the medical industry as she struggles with taking care of her ailing patients, while attempting to maintain a modicum of sanity.

The Case of the Deviant Detective

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5 Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle

✸Brackeys Game Jam 2020.2: 3rd Place Winner✸

The Case of the Deviant Detective is Mythos Interactive's Brackeys Game Jam 2020.2 Submission. We built the game from scratch in just under 7 days. The theme was "Rewind". The Case of the Deviant Detective puts a new spin on the Noir mystery drama of the early 20th century. Follow the case work of Charlie, a new detective on the force, whose Uncle happens to be a part of the mafia, and needs you to do something for him.

Runaway Robot

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5 Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle

✸GMTK 2020 Game Jam: 225th Place✸

This was my submission for the GMTK 2020 Game Jam, a 48-hour game making competition. The theme was "Out of Control". Help these little robots find their way in the world. Test your smarts in this cute and cuddly robotic adventure! What could go wrong?

Terminal Charge

Platform: Windows Engine: Unity
Genre: Action, Arcade

✸Simmer.io Editor's Choice✸

✸Ludum Dare 46: 168th Place✸

"Terminal Charge" is my submission to the Ludum Dare 46 game jam. The theme was "Keep It Alive". This game was designed and built from the ground up in 72 hours. In "Terminal Charge", players take on the role of a desperate air-traveler as they zig zag through a busy airport while attempting to reach their gate and keep their phone alive. Rush from outlet to outlet and evade your fellow pedestrians as you make your way to your gate. But beware, gate changes are frequent and this airport was built by a madman!

Kinoko Dash

Platform: Android Engine: Unity
Genre: Action, Arcade

Kinoko Dash is a fast-paced, action-packed casual mobile game that tasks players with slaying a horde of incoming mushroom creatures and using their succulant bodies to concoct delicious recipes!

Prepare to Re-Pair!

Platform: PC Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle Features: Local co-op

This game is my submission to the Global Game Jam 2020, hosted by Imangi Studios. The theme was "Repair". Prepare to Re-Pair!" is the story of two lonely magnets, lost in the world and searching for love. Players will race against the clock to reach their electrically charged buddies! Navigate mazes and solve puzzles to find your pair "re-pair" your friendship!

Unnamed Chicken Game

Platform: PC Engine: Unity
Genre: Action/Adventure Features: Open-world, Puzzle solving, Arcade combat

The title of this game is not a reference to the immensely popular "Untitled Goose Game", I swear! I actually started working on this action-adventure, family-friendly game weeks ago and have been learning the ins and outs of Unity as I go. In this game, which shall remain untitled for now, you play as a mother hen searching for her lost chicks, both competing against and getting help from various farm-yard animals as well as fighting off the monsterous foes that lurk underground. This game is not yet ready to demo, but as soon as it is you should come back to grab a copy! I'll have it linked below.

Stars: Transmission

Platform: PC Engine: Game Maker v.3
Genre: Puzzle, Arcade Features: Local co-op (up to 4 players!)

While not incredibly impressive, technologically speaking, "Stars: Transmission" was the first game I made. This 1 - 4 player puzzle game was made in Game Maker all the way back in 2007 and was my very first introduction to the world of game design. All art assets, programming, and design work was done by me and it is a wonderful example of how far I've come in my game dev journey! Feel free to download the executable below and give it a try but, fair warning, you'll want to turn down your headphones!

Download

Ingenuity: A Game for "Clever" People

Platform: Tabletop Genre: Party, Story-telling

Ingenuity was my first foray into the world of tabletop gaming. In Ingenuity, players take turns saving the world! Each turn begins with a yellow "Disaster" card being drawn from the Situation deck, followed by each player selecting 3 unique "Item" cards from their hand. Each player then regails the group with the story of how they solved the disasterous situation using their items. The group votes on a funniest, most creative, or wackiest story and that player wins the round! The Ingenuity Kickstarter campaign, while ultimately unsuccessful, did lead to the creation of multiple prototypes as pictured below. Some say copies of the game are still somewhere out there to this very day!

Kickstarter Campaign

Miscellaneous Work

Shader Practice

Below are a few examples of my recent work with Unity's Shader Graph plug-in. These were built entirely in-engine and are fully customizable using the Unity inspector.